Smooth Sailing
Sailing
News By A Sailor For Sailors!
In
Association with:
ARMunnik Legal Eagles Charity Yacht Race
The KZN Laser and
Laser Radial Champs took place at the Henley Midmar Yacht Club last
weekend. The regatta attracted an excellent entry of 62 boats with 4 Laser
4.7s, 13 Laser Radials and 45 Laser Standards taking part. Looking at the
results it is particularly encouraging to see the large number of youth sailors
that took part in the regatta. Its also encouraging to note that there were a number
of Gauteng entries on the start line and even one from the Eastern Cape. That
sailors are travelling for two days regattas can only be a good sign. Of course
it has to help that the regatta took place at Midmar, which must be one of the
best, if not the best venue in the country. It offers good sailing in an
extremely pleasant environment and has one of the friendliest and most
hospitable clubs around. The weather played ball allowing 6 races to be sailed
over the weekend. In the Laser Standard fleet Paul Willcox turned in the most
impressive performance of the weekend winning all 6 races. This gave him an
extremely comfortable victory over his brother Graeme, who finished in 2nd
place, and confirmed Paul’s status as the top Laser sailor in the country at
the moment after his recent win in the Laser Nationals on the Vaal Dam. Justin
Onvlee was almost as dominant in the Laser Radial fleet dropping only one race
on his way to victory while Claire Walker, the winner in the Laser 4.7 fleet,
also only dropped one race along the way. The top three positions in each class
were as follows:
Laser Standard (45 Boats)
|
1st
|
Paul
Willcox |
5
Points |
|
2nd
|
Graeme
Willcox |
19 |
|
3rd |
Mark
Schwegman |
25 |
Laser Radial (13 Boats)
|
1st
|
Justin
Onvlee |
5
Points |
|
2nd
|
Aaron
Larkens |
14 |
|
3rd |
Bridget
Clayton |
17 |
Laser 4.7 (4 Boats)
|
1st
|
Claire
Walker |
5
Points |
|
2nd
|
Emma
Walker |
9 |
|
3rd |
Shannon
Gray |
14 |
The Full Results have been posted on the Smooth Sailing Racing Reports web page.
Team Shosholoza were pleased to
finish the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 3 Regatta in 7th place on
Sunday. This result also left them in 7th position in the overall
2004 standings, not a bad result for a team short on experience, with an old
boat sailing their first competitive AC Regattas. Lots has been said in the
local and international press about their efforts in this first round of
regattas, most of it good. The results that they have achieved are probably a
fair reflection of their efforts to date and proof of the steep learning curve
that the team has been on since they came together earlier this year. "It has been an awesome experience for us. We
were always in contention, we had exciting close racing and it was enormously
exciting for our entire team. We have improved radically since we arrived in
Europe two months ago, we have gelled as a team and we'll be back even stronger
next year," said Geoff Meek, skipper of Team Shosholoza. With the sailing
in Europe now over until next year the team has now returned to South Africa,
with their boat following shortly. We understand that some major modifications
will be made to the existing boat once she returns to Cape Town while the first
of the teams two planned new boats will be built early next year. It is hoped
that by next years round of European regattas the team will be sailing their
new version 5 AC boat. For more information on the South African America’s Cup
Challenge visit www.saacchallenge.com.
The Redhouse
Centenary Regatta takes place at the Redhouse Yacht Club outside Port
Elizabeth this weekend. Now its not
very often that a yacht club turns 100 years old, especially in this day and
age with the increased pressures that clubs find themselves under just to
survive. What makes this one even more interesting is that Redhouse is one of
very few sailing clubs in the country that is based on a river, the Swartkops
River, as opposed to a dam or the ocean. Despite its unique location this club
has a rich history with many of this country’s top sailors having learnt their
skills there. Not only that, and I stand to be corrected on this one, but the
Extra and Sprog classes both originated there. The organisers of the RYC
Centenary Regatta hope to attract a diverse fleet of boats including examples
of all those that have sailed on the river over the years including Sharpies,
Sprogs, Finns, Flying Dutchmen, Extras, Fireballs, Spearheads, Mirrors,
Gypseys, Optimists and Dabchicks and anything else that sails to this event.
The regatta takes place from the 22nd to the 24th of
October and features a good mix of sailing and social. The regatta starts with boat registration on Friday the 22nd
of October, followed by a Cocktail Party that night. There is racing on
Saturday 23rd, followed by the Centenary Banquet. More racing will
take place on Sunday 24th, which is the Centenary Day! This will be
followed by the Prize Giving. The Notice of Race can be downloaded from the Smooth Sailing Notices of Race web page or from the Redhouse Yacht Club
site at www.rcy.org.za. As sailing
regattas go this might not be the most important or prestigious regatta on the
calendar but it will certainly be one of the most unique and if for nothing
more than celebrating RYC’s achievement in reaching its 100th
birthday it has to be worth taking part!
Keel Boat handicaps are one of my biggest bugbears and with a
variety of home grown systems in use around the country its no secret that I am
a major supporter of the IRC
Handicapping System. It
therefore pleases me a lot to see IRC getting plenty of good press around the
world at the moment not to mention some a little closer to home too. The IRC
International Congress meeting took place on the 1st of October at
the Royal Ocean Racing Club in London. South Africa was represented at this
meeting by Chris Frost who was duly elected as one of the classes two Vice
Chairmen. This is probably not only a fair recognition of Chris’s work in
promoting the IRC Class in South Africa but also of the classes status in SA as
one of the fastest growing in the world. Late last week the New York Yacht Club
and the Storm Trysail Club, both leading American Yacht Clubs, announced that
they would be sailing under IRC in 2005. The handicap rule will be used at the NYYC's Rolex Transatlantic
Challenge starting May 21, 2005 and the NYYC's 151st Annual Regatta June 10-12,
2005. STC will offer IRC classes in the
Lauderdale-Key West Race in January, the Pineapple Cup (Florida to Jamaica) in
February and will use it at Block Island Race Week June 19-25. The commitment
to IRC is from 2005 to 2007, or for a minimum of three years. Presently there
are about 6,000 yachts rated and racing under IRC in Europe, as well as in more
than 30 other countries, including Australia, South Africa and Hong Kong. Most recently IRC was used for the first
time in the USA at the St. Francis Yacht Club's Big Boat Series in San Francisco,
is used at the Fastnet Race in England and will be used in the next
Sydney-Hobart Race in December in Australia. Subsequent to that announcement I
received a press release from Farr Yacht Design, probably the worlds leading
yacht designers, announcing their development of three new IRC designs. The three
designs are between 30ft LOA and 42ft LOA, and will be manufactured on a
production basis. Farr Yacht Design
expects additional production and custom commissions above this size range in
the near future. “It is heartening to see an effort on behalf of those
administering our sport to adopt a Rule that is used on a world wide
basis. The unification effect of such a
move will be a great step forward in curing the fragmented state of rule use
that currently exists,” said Russ Bowler, President of Farr Yacht Design. IRC
is now the rule of choice in a number of important regattas throughout the
world, including the Admiral's Cup, Sydney-Hobart Race, Fastnet Race, and to
date there are nearly 6000 yachts racing with this Rule. IRC was used for the first time in the US at
last month's Rolex St. Francis Big Boat Series, and will be used for several
New York YC and Storm Trysail Club events in 2005, including Block Island Race
Week. Production designs from FYD have
earned IRC class victories this year in Cork Week, Cowes Week, Hamilton Island
Race Week and the Phuket King’s Cup. That being the case why aren’t we seeing
more widespread use of IRC here in South Africa? The costs are relatively low,
the system credible and the results fair! Isn’t that what we strive to achieve
from handicap racing? The South African IRC Class has recently set-up a new web
site that carries all manner of information on IRC. Check it out at www.irc-class.com.
Opinions
expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the
views of neither this publication nor its editor.
From: Lara Keytel
RE: Smooth Sailing’s Sexist Editorial of 13 October
2004
Dear Sir
Your weekly newsletter is certainly a welcome addition
to my email inbox. It provides a
comprehensive sailing round up and definitely keeps me in the "sailing
loop", as I am currently one of those sailors you refer to as only
managing to make the big weekend regatta's. However, I would have to take
exception to your message which implies that individuals do big regatta's as it
affords them the opportunity to catch up with their "mates in the pub,
without the worry of running around dropping kids off at school sports or being
home in time for the wife's dinner party".
Sir, with the greatest of respect, where have you been
since the bad old battle days, are you aware that women have the vote? More
importantly did you know that both men and women enjoy sailing for the same
reasons?
From your newsletter you reported on the KZN Dabchick
champs, from what I can make out women were in the top 3 places? I have to
therefore caution you to from falling into the age-old gender trap, especially
in this sport of sailing, where both men and women have both enjoyed and been
competitive for as long as I can remember. I therefore find it very
disappointing that someone in your position, and with your
"journalistic" influence would write something so poor and thoughtless,
especially in light of the fact that many of our top female competitors around
the country are wives or in life-long partnered relationships. Perhaps someone
should let them know that they are neglecting their dinner party duties?
Warmest wishes,
Lara Keytel
From: Dennis Lapham
RE: DAC Keel Boat Regatta
May I express my thanks to all the Sailors at DAC during the
Keel Boat Regatta last month, 22 to 26 September.
They certainly made us feel so extremely welcome; we will be back! We are so accustomed to wildlife sightings when we sail that we even spotted Elephants on the Island but turned out to be vehicles...! Sad, Kariba is super!
We sailed Dr Ballantine loaned to us by Margaret Williams
who sadly lost her well-known sailing husband Fred (After a long illness) the
day before we arrived!
It was really so enjoyable, especially so when Young Manten in his Formula One sailed up to us to warn of a "blow" imminent. That was really fantastic sportsmanship.
Sailing is alive! And the Vaal is just a 14 hours hard drive away from Harare.
We have a Cruiser stern chase "Rally" in May over the 25th Holiday for a whole week at Kariba. Sleep on boats and race till 1pm then! Swim and game view socialise. The Zambezi beer is still one of the best! And see Real Ele's.
Dennis Lapham
From: Dale Hudson
RE: On Public Perceptions of Shosholoza’s
performance at the Louis Vuitton Act 1 & 2 Regattas
Just want to point out one or two personal
observations regarding Shosholoza's performance in the Valencia Match Racing
Regatta. Apart from the obvious lack of experience in both high-level match
racing and boat handling in AC boats, and the fact that they are sailing an
older generation boat...You will notice that in the majority of their matches
they made gains on both the downwind legs (gained on 13 out of 18 legs!). Quite
often this was due to superior boat speed! And other times due to getting
shifts right, or finding the gusts first. I think it is very encouraging to
find that an older generation boat can be made to go faster downwind that both
it's peer generation and the newer generation boats.
My point is this: We need to be very careful not to
create an environment amongst the AC sailors nor the SA public that we are
sailing an absolute dog and that as soon as we get a new boat we are suddenly
going to be fast. The AC crew needs to take the attitude that they are on a
fast boat and race their guts out to gain as much tactical experience as
possible. Also, the SA public must be careful not to expect a sudden "up
in performance" once the new boat arrives. This would build false
expectations and just place ridiculous pressure on the AC team in the future.
The truth of the matter is that they are complete novices in the AC world, but
that they have an incredible amount of sailing talent on their boat, and in
time, through a combination of experience, patience, pracitice, dedication and
a new boat there is no reason for them not to become truly competitive.
Kind regards,
Dale Hudson
The 2004 AR Munnik
Legal Eagles Charity Yacht will be held at Royal Cape Yacht Club on Saturday the 13th of November 2004. All monies raised through entry fees are
donated to the Red Cross Children’s Trust and the Club’s Sailing Academy, which
focuses on development sailing. This prestigious annual
charity fundraising sailing event has grown in stature and participation since
its inception in 1992. The event is open to all law firms and members of the
legal fraternity [nationally]. The 2003 event attracted 48 local and national
law firm teams involving some 500 – 700 participants and spectators attending
the post race function/prize-giving. It goes without saying that the event
carries the support of all the Royal Cape Yacht Club members, many of whom are
legal practitioners. The Club also considers the event as part of its social
responsibility program.
A quote from our sponsor: “Since its inception in 1991 the Legal
Eagles Yacht Race has been a prominent feature on the yachting calendar which
has, in going from strength to strength, contributed significantly to two most
worthy causes, namely the Red Cross Children's Hospital and the Sailing
Academy. It therefore gives my firm and
me a great deal of pleasure and pride to be able to sponsor this great event
for the 5th consecutive year. You are all thanked for your continued support. May a great and successful day be had on 13
November 2004.” Righard Munnik
The Programme will be as follows:
11h30 Skipper’s Briefing
13h00 Start of Race
15h30 Estimated time of return
16h00 Prize Giving
16h45 Big Screen Rugby: Boks vs. Ireland
For further information, please contact the Royal Cape Yacht Club Sailing Office on 021-421-1354.
Our Notices of Race page on the Smooth Sailing has all the NOR’s available to us. If you
have a regatta coming up and would like to make the NOR available online then
e-mail it to hethcot@iafrica.com and it will be posted and
listed in this newsletter. To get your copy simply click on the name of the
regatta you are interested in below:
|
Regatta |
Venue |
Dates |
|
Various KZN Clubs |
October 2004 to July 2005 |
|
|
Redhouse Yacht Club |
22 to 24 October |
|
|
Boskop
Annual Regatta Incorporating Laser & Laser Radial Northvaal Champs |
Boskop Yacht Club |
30 & 31 October |
|
Durban Radio Boat Club |
6 & 7 November |
|
|
Hermanus Yacht Club |
11 to 18 December |
|
|
RNYC Xmas Regatta Incorporating the Hunter KZN
Champs & Flying Fifteen Nationals |
Royal Natal Yacht Club |
16 to 19 December |
|
Hermanus Yacht Club |
27 to 30 December |
|
|
IRC KZN Champs |
Zululand Yacht Club |
14 to 16 January 2005 |
|
Royal Cape Yacht Club &
Mossel Bay Yacht Club |
29 January 2005 |
|
|
Royal Cape Yacht Club |
4 January 2006 |
The Smooth Sailing Classifieds are a free service for private advertisers only. This service is not available to any commercial enterprise or service provider. To place an ad, e-mail the details to andrew@smoothsailing.co.za.
Musto Offshore
Foul Weather Gear
-jacket
-trousers
-size L
-red
trousers, red/navy/white jacket with yellow hood
-safety
harness facility, double cuffs
-embroidered
for "The Round Britain and Ireland Challenge 2004 in association with
Daily Telegraph"
-used only on
a couple of days during the race by the skipper of yacht SAIC La Jolla
(starting on Oct 3rd for the Global Challenge)
-as good as
new
-R2 500-00
(new >R3 500-00)
Contact: Tonya Lehtinen
Tel: +27 21 790 8328 (Hout Bay)
Fax: +27 21 790 8328
Mobile: +27 72 3380 690
E-Mail: tonyalehtinen@telkomsa.net
In good condition, serviced,
With road trailer
R14 000-00 onco
&
Like new condition
R5 000-00
&
Could be revived R 600
Contact: Leon
083 629-3166
Or
Anne 083- 561-9068
E-Mail: lizamorefam@mweb.co.za
Excellent Condition
R4 850-00 ono
Contact: Tony Strutt
Cell: 082 823 4388
Posted: 21/09/04
At LDYC Vaal
Dam
Good condition.
Antifouled DEC 2003.
Full sail
inventory, flares, life jackets, new covers on cushions, new rudder.
R30 000-00
Contact: Peter
James
E-Mail: peter@metago.co.za
Phone: 011-787
9876
Cell 0828293733
Posted:
21/09/04
Excellent condition
R3 000-00
&
White and
blue
Price
Negotiable
Contact:
Charles
Cell: 082 771
0719
Posted:
21/09/04
Good condition, cruiser racer
Lying RCYC. Built 1989
Full instrumentation, VHF, SSB Good cruising sails:
1,3,storm,msl,spin, Furler, Dodger, clutches, wheel, Fridge,
Recent respray
R400 000-00
Contact Wilhelm for full inventory
(011) 324 3850 or wherbst@nous.co.za
“Pipe Dreams"
Presently moored at Kosmos - Hartbeesport Dam
With full suit of sails incl lazy jacks
5hp Mariner outboard
R22 000-00 ONO.
Contact: Peter Gardner
Cell: 083 225 7934
Posted: 10/09/04
WANTED
In Eastern Cape
Contact: Andrew Heathcote
Cell: 083 783 8805
E-Mail: andrew@smoothsailing.co.za
1 X High Speed Trailer for Mirror Dinghy
1 X Set of Ooutboard Oars
Contact: Phillip
Cell: 083 265 8185
Posted: 11/10/04
Standard
Laser
Complete
Cash buyer.
Any area.
Contact: Neil Couling
Cell: 083 651
8310
Posted: 11/10/04
Extra or Laser
In Cape area
Contact: Leon 083 629-3166
Or
Anne 083- 561-9068
E-Mail: lizamorefam@mweb.co.za
Or similar
fixed or drop keel
Preferably
with trailer.
Phone 084 253
7927.
Posted:
11/10/04
Pirate Sailing Boat
With trailer,
in any condition but preferably good order.
Ideally in
Durban.
Contact Kevin
E-Mail: kevine@thebesec.co.za
Posted
11/10/04
TLC 19
With trailer,
in any condition but preferably good order.
Ideally in
Durban.
Contact Kevin
Cell: 082 603
9229
E-Mail: kevine@thebesec.co.za
Any condition
Price in line with
condition.
Contact: Dave Millard
Cell: 082 805 4504
Posted: 29/09/04
Will pay cash.
Cell: 083 308 5544
Posted: 29/09/04
Contact:
Peter Gardner
Posted:
10/09/04
E-Mail: vixend@iafrica.com
Posted:
10/09/04
Any condition
Contact: Rob
Attwell
E-Mail:
thut@iafrica.com
Posted: 10/09/04
Andrew Heathcote
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 783 8805
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Please note that the views
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